Cubs retire No. 31 of Maddux, Jenkins

/ AP

Former Chicago Cubs' Ferguson Jenkins, left, and Greg Maddux wave to fans as they celebrate at Wrigley Field as the Cubs retire the No. 31 which both wore with the team before the Florida Marlins and the Cubs baseball game, Sunday, May 3, 2009, in Chicago.(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Former Chicago Cubs' Ferguson Jenkins, left, and Greg Maddux wave to fans as they celebrate at Wrigley Field as the Cubs retire the No. 31 which both wore with the team before the Florida Marlins and the Cubs baseball game, Sunday, May 3, 2009, in Chicago.(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) (/ AP)

The Associated Press

Greg Maddux and Ferguson Jenkins played in different eras, but they used similar styles – and wore the same jersey number – to become two of the best pitchers in Chicago Cubs' history.

Their No. 31 was retired prior to the Cubs' game against the Florida Marlins on Sunday.

"The fun part of doing what we did was putting that uniform on," Jenkins said. "You were at home on that field."

With their families sitting beside them, Jenkins and Maddux each gave a brief speech. The aces then watched from home plate as former teammates – Randy Hundley and Glenn Beckert for Jenkins and Jody Davis for Maddux – lifted their numbers to the top of the foul poles at Wrigley Field.

Maddux's jersey went up in right and Jenkins, a Hall of Famer, had his number go in left.

"I wasn't lucky enough to watch Fergie pitch as much," Maddux said. "I was told he could paint. I remember one of the coaches compared me to him, so I had to find out about him. And I started learning about his control and the complete games that he pitched."

Maddux retired last December as the eighth-winningest pitcher in major league history with 355 victories. He had his most productive seasons with Atlanta, winning three Cy Youngs and a World Series during his 11 years with the Braves.

The Braves are scheduled to retired Maddux's number in July.

"This game gives you so much everyday you play it, and when you stop playing it keeps giving," Maddux said. "Sometimes you feel guilty about it."

Jenkins and Maddux both played 10 years with the Cubs, using pinpoint accuracy and a workhorse approach. Each won a Cy Young in a Cubs uniform.

"Both had great careers," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said. "Both are very deserving – they provided a lot of thrills for a lot of people."

Jenkins played for Chicago from 1966-1973 and 1982-83, winning the Cy Young in 1971 after going 24-13 with 30 complete games, a 2.77 ERA and 263 strikeouts. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame as a Cub in 1991.

The club's all-time leader in strikeouts, Jenkins went 167-132 with 2,038 strikeouts with Chicago. He went 284-226 with 3,192 strikeouts during his 19-year career, becoming the first major leaguer to retire with more than 3,000 strikeouts and less than 1,000 walks – an achievement Maddux matched.

Jenkins was best known for going deep into games. He had 267 career complete games and pitched at least 300 innings each year from 1968-1971 while playing for manager Leo Durocher.

"You work hard enough to get here and you don't want to go back," Jenkins said. "I know Greg didn't have Durocher, but he was tougher than a night in jail. He gave you the opportunity to do what you do best."

Jenkins retired following the 1983 season, but his shadow lingered three years later when Maddux made his Wrigley Field debut.

Maddux played for Chicago from 1986-1992 and 2004-2006, going 133-112. He earned career wins No. 1 and No. 300 in a Cubs uniform. He also won six of his record 18 Gold Glove Awards with Chicago.

He won his first of four Cy Young Awards in 1992 when he went 20-11 for Chicago with a 2.18 ERA.